UV-IR combination curing system and method of use for wind blade manufacture and repair
US9970411B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/72
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A UV-IR combination curing system and method for manufacture and repair of composite parts, such as for use in wind blade manufacture and repair. The system and method utilize UV and IR dual radiation sources to cure glass fiber reinforced laminates containing a photo initiator. The UV and IR dual radiation sources can be configured as discrete stand-alone UV and IR lamps used in a side by side configuration, a plurality of UV lamps with thermal IR radiation, a combined UV/IR lamp, or other forms of light sources providing both UV and IR radiation. To achieve high glass transition and complete curing of thick laminates, the IR radiation source is initially turned on to heat the laminate to close to 40° C.-100° C. before the UV radiation source is turned on. The IR radiation source can be turned off after UV radiation source is activated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.